Did anyone do this last year? Was it well organized and a fun race? Definitely a good cause.
Jason
I did the TriOne last year. Overall it was pretty good for a new event. Some of my observations:
Water was amazingly warm but current was strong so watch wave ahead of you to find best lay line to first buoy. The bike was sort of boring with multiple laps through a business park. It is right down the street from the Oakland Raiders HQ. Seems to me it was about three laps and I did notice a fair amount of drafting. The run was probably the best leg and was very scenic. Nice views of the City as you go on bike path along the water. The whole course was totally flat and pretty fast although bike leg could be a little crowded. It was pretty small, food was marginal and had sort of a newbie vibe but I enjoyed it. Maybe because I knew 100% of the entry fee went to a great charity. I always try to do at least one race a year that benefits charity instead of someone like Terry Davis (just kidding Terry). Hope this helps.
I did it also, and second TriMike’s observations. The current was the worst (direction wise) in the last 200 meters of the swim.
It was also HOT last year (99 degrees or so).
It’s a fast bike course, we used to have Tuesday night crits down there (until someone hurt himself and sued).
Thanks for the posts - good info if I decide to go. I used to work right there on the Parkway and used to bike the course at lunch so I am familiar with it. 100% to charity is awesome.
Just a post mortem on this year’s event. This is a very nice event for a great cause, and definitely an excellent choice for those of us in the Bay Area that don’t want to drive an hour plus to get to a race venue, however:
This year’s swim was even crazier than last due to a stiff onshore breeze fighting a strong ebb tide. The beginners attracted to this event paid for it hard; people clinging to a barnacle encrusted piling getting thoroughly beat by the waves for their efforts, folks going way north and west off course and subsquently being rescued by too few guards, much confusion over wave starts resulting in some incredible Olympic records and PR’s for a lucky (or sneaky) few. A better first Oly for developing swimmers would be Bethel Island IMHO because you can’t get lost in the swim.
The race is put on for the ALS folks by a pretty experienced and well regarded event company (timing by Buzzword). I suspect they (ALS) try to hold costs down by limiting paid employees and relying heavily on volunteers which I think is fine. But, there were some crazy swim (and one amazing run) times recorded that probably should have resulted in DQ’s but instead got their owners podium time and prizes. This is touted as a USAT sanctioned event and so should be held to a higher standard regarding managing start waves, referees on course, and certifying results.
Anyway, that said, give it a go and enjoy the Bay views and cheerful vibe of Trione.
T.
I have done this race the last two years. This years swim was pretty bad. The current was going out this year and you had to swim hard against the current to stay on course and inside the pier. Other than that it is a great little race. It is also a fast course since the bike and run are almost dead flat. I will be out there again this year.